THE CRUCIFIXION

OF JESUS: ISLAM’S
POINT OF VIEW
Rather, Allah raised him up to Himself. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.
 (18:22) If what a prophet proclaims in the
name of the LORD does not take place or
come true, that is a message the LORD has
not spoken. That prophet has spoken
presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.
This is the Book (the Qur’ân), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to
those who are Al-Muttaqûn
Al-Muttaqûn: [the pious believers of Islamic Monotheism who fear Allâh
much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden)
and love Allâh much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has
ordained)].
 Do they not then reflect on the Quran? Had it been from
anyone other than Allah, they would have certainly found in it
many inconsistencies.
This is the Book (the Qur’ân), whereof there is no doubt, a
guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqûn
 Christianity Islam

 The Word of God  The Word of Allah* (Be)*

 One of the greatest Prophets of
God *
 Messiah
 Will return during the time of
the Anti-Christ
 Performed many miracles
 Divine Nature (Son of God)
AND Human Nature
 Crucified for the sins of man
 One of the greatest Prophets of
Allah
 Messiah
 Will return during the time of
the Anti-Christ (Dajjal)
 Performed many miracles
 Human Nature (only)
 Saved from crucifixion by
Allah
 Christianity Islam

 The Word of God  The Word of Allah* (Be)*

 One of the greatest Prophets of
God *
 Messiah
 Will return during the time of
the Anti-Christ
 Performed many miracles
 Divine Nature (Son of God)
AND Human Nature
 Crucified for the sins of man
 One of the greatest Prophets of
Allah
 Messiah
 Will return during the time of
the Anti-Christ (Dajjal)
 Performed many miracles
 Human Nature (only)
 Saved from crucifixion by
Allah
 Christianity Islam

 The Word of God  The Word of Allah* (Be)*

 One of the greatest Prophets of
God *
 Messiah
 Will return during the time of
the Anti-Christ
 Performed many miracles
 Divine Nature (Son of God)
AND Human Nature
 Crucified for the sins of man
 One of the greatest Prophets of
Allah
 Messiah
 Will return during the time of
the Anti-Christ (Dajjal)
 Performed many miracles
 Human Nature (only)
 Saved from crucifixion by
Allah
(4:153) The People of the Book demand that you ˹O (4:156) and for their denial and outrageous accusation
Prophet˺ bring down for them a revelation in writing against Mary,
from heaven. They demanded what is even greater than
this from Moses, saying, “Make Allah visible to us!” (4:157) and for boasting, “We killed the Messiah,
So a thunderbolt struck them for their wrongdoing. Jesus, son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.” But
Then they took the calf for worship after receiving they neither killed nor crucified him—it was only
clear signs. Still We forgave them for that ˹after theirmade to appear so. Even those who argue for this
repentance˺ and gave Moses compelling proof. ˹crucifixion˺ are in doubt. They have no knowledge
whatsoever—only making assumptions. They
(4:154) We raised the Mount over them ˹as a warning˺ certainly did not kill him.
for ˹breaking˺ their covenant and said, “Enter the gate
˹of Jerusalem˺ with humility.” We also warned them, (4:158) Rather, Allah raised him up to Himself. And
“Do not break the Sabbath,” and took from them a firm Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.
covenant.

(4:155) ˹They were condemned˺ for breaking their

covenant, rejecting Allah’s signs, killing the prophets
unjustly, and for saying, “Our hearts are
unreceptive!”—it is Allah Who has sealed their hearts
for their disbelief, so they do not believe except for a
few—
(4:157)  And because of their saying (in boast), "We killed Messiah ‘Îsâ (Jesus),
son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allâh," - but they killed him not, nor
crucified him, but it appeared so to them [the resemblance of ‘Îsâ (Jesus) was put
over another man (and they killed that man)], and those who differ therein are full
of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture.
For surely; they killed him not [i.e. ‘Îsâ (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary) ‫عليهما‬
N‫لسالم‬NN‫]ا‬:

(4:158) But Allâh raised him [‘Îsâ (Jesus)] up (with his body and soul) unto
Himself (and he N‫لسالم‬NN‫ ا‬N‫ عليه‬is in the heavens). And Allâh is Ever All-Powerful, All-
Wise.
(4:157) and for boasting, “We killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary,
the messenger of Allah.” But they neither killed nor crucified him
—it was only made to appear so. Even those who argue for this
˹crucifixion˺ are in doubt. They have no knowledge whatsoever—
only making assumptions. They certainly did not kill him.
The Clear Qur’an: An-Nisa 4:157

1. Jesus was not killed.

2. Jesus was not crucified.
3. Those who argue for the crucifixion are in doubt.
4. There is no evidence behind the claims of crucifixion – there are only assumptions.
 Muslim Perspective

Primary source material vs Secondary & Tertiary sources

The Testimony of Allah vs. Hearsay of the Bible

The Divine Narrative of Qur’an vs Human Narrative of the Bible

 NIV (New International Version)
(1:1) Many** have undertaken to draw up
an account of the things that have been
fulfilled among us,
(1:2) just as they were handed down to us
by those who from the first were
eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
(1:3) With this in mind, since I myself
have carefully investigated everything
from the beginning, I too decided to write
an orderly account for you, most excellent
Theophilus,
(1:4) so that you may know the certainty of
the things you have been taught.
NASB (New American Standard Bible)
(1:1) Since many** have undertaken to
compile an account of the things
accomplished among us,
(1:2) just as they were handed down to us
by those who from the beginning were
eyewitnesses and servants of the word,
(1:3) it seemed fitting to me as well,
having investigated everything carefully
from the beginning, to write it out for you
in an orderly sequence, most excellent
Theophilus;
(1:4) so that you may know the exact truth
about the things you have been taught.
(1:1) Many have undertaken to draw up an
account of the things that have been
fulfilled among us,

(1:2) just as they were handed down to us

by those who from the first were
eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
NIV: Luke 1:1-2
(1:3) With this in mind, since I myself have
carefully investigated everything from the
beginning, I too decided to write an orderly
account for you, most excellent Theophilus,

(1:4) so that you may know the certainty of the

things you have been taught.
NIV: Luke 1:3-4
 NIV (New International Version) – Red Bible*

(21:20) Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the
one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray
you?”)
(21:21) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
(21:22) Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must
follow me.”
(21:23) Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But
Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what
is that to you?”
(21:24) This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that
his testimony is true.
(21:24) This is the disciple who
testifies to these things and who
wrote them down. We know that
his testimony is true.
NIV: John 21:24
 The New Testament establishes that it is not a primary source material, but at best
secondary souce
 Academic Stance: The New Testament Gospels are compilations of secondary & tertiary
records of the events, sayings of, and ideologies about Jesus dating back to 70 A.D. at the
earliest.

 The only primary source material offered by the New Testament is the letters of Paul,
however, he was not an eyewitness to the events of Jesus’s life

 No way to identify who wrote the gospels, and no way to establish the identities
of who these gospels are attributed to, nor the indivuals who wrote the
manuscripts we have today

 The eyewitness testimony of Allah vs. the hearsay of the New Testament authors
 Christians Muslims

 God = Infallible  God = Infallible

 God’s Word = Infallible  God’s Word = Infallible

 Jesus = Infallible  Jesus = Infallible

 Jesus’s Word = Infallible  Jesus’s Word = Infallible

 Disciples of Jesus = Fallible

 Disciples of Jesus = Fallible/ Infallible
 Transcribers of the Gospels = Fallible
 Transcribers of the Gospels = Fallible
 The historical context of Jesus is claimed to be transmitted by the
disciples of Jesus (The Gospels)

 According to the gospels, none of Jesus’s disciples were eyewitnesses to

the events of the crucifixion

 The claim that Jesus died and was crucified did not originate from the
disciples.*

 The event of the crucifixion could only have been transmitted via
hearsay.
NIV (New International Version) – Red
Bible
(14:46) The men seized Jesus and arrested
him.
 
(14:47) Then one of those standing near drew
his sword and struck the servant of the high
priest, cutting off his ear.
(14:48) “Am I leading a rebellion,” said
Jesus, “that you have come out with swords
and clubs to capture me?
(14:49) Every day I was with you, teaching in
the temple courts, and you did not arrest me.
But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”
(14:50) Then everyone deserted him and
fled.
NASB (New American Standard Bible)
– Red Bible
(14:46) And they laid their hands on him, and
took him.
(14:47) And one of them that stood by drew a
sword, and smote a servant of the high priest,
and cut off his ear.
(14:48) And Jesus answered and said unto
them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with
swords and with staves to take me?
(14:49) I was daily with you in the temple
teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures
must be fulfilled.
(14:50) And they all forsook him, and fled.
Jesus was hanged on Passover Eve.*** Forty days previously the herald had cried, “He is
being led out for stoning, because he has practiced sorcery and led Israel astray and enticed
them into apostasy. Whosoever has anything to say in his defense, let him come and declare
it.” As nothing was brought forward in his defense, he was hanged on Passover Eve.

Talmud: The Tractate Sanhedrin (43a)

(4:157) and for boasting, “We killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, the messenger of
Allah.” But they neither killed nor crucified him—it was only made to appear so. Even
those who argue for this ˹crucifixion˺ are in doubt. They have no knowledge whatsoever—
only making assumptions. They certainly did not kill him.

The Clear Qur’an: An-Nisa 4:157

(27:24) When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he
took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said.
“It is your responsibility!”

(27:25) All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”

(27:26) Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be
crucified.

NIV: Matthew 27: 24-26

(2:14) For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in
Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from
the Jews 

(2:15) who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God
and are hostile to everyone*
1 Thessalonians 2: 14-15
 Science of Hadith

 Hadith (the eyewitness testimonies of the teachings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh))
were transmitted by Oral Tradition

 Chain of Narrations

 Historical biography of each member in the chain is used to determine authenticity

 Multiple eyewitness accounts utilized and compared to determine authenticity

(4:157) and for boasting, “We killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.” But they neither killed
nor crucified him—it was only made to appear so. Even those who argue for this ˹crucifixion˺ are in doubt. They have
no knowledge whatsoever—only making assumptions. They certainly did not kill him.

(4:158) Rather, Allah raised him up to Himself. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.

The Clear Qur’an: An-Nisa 4:157-158

 Science of Hadith

 Hadith (the eyewitness testimonies of the teachings and actions of

the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)) were transmitted by Oral Tradition

 Chain of Narrations

 Historical biography of each member in the chain is used to

determine authenticity

 Multiple eyewitness accounts utilized and compared to

determine authenticity
(91:10) No harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.

(91:11) For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

(91:12) they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

(91:13) You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

(91:14) “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

(91:15) He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

(91:16) With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Psalms 91:10-16 (NIV)

 NIV (New International Version) – Red Bible
(4:5) Then the devil took him to the holy city and
had him stand on the highest point of the temple.
(4:6) “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw
yourself down. For it is written:
‘He will command his angels concerning you, and
they will lift you up in their hands, so that you
will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
(4:7) Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do
not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
NASB (New American Standard Bible) – Red Bible
(4:5) Then the devil *took Him along into the holy city
and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and he
*said to Him,
(4:6) “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for
it is written:
‘He will give His angels orders concerning You’;and‘
On their hands they will lift You up,So that You do not
strike Your foot against a stone.’ ”
(4:7) Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written:
‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
 Psalms 91:10-16 (NIV)
No harm will overtake you, no disaster will
come near your tent. For he will command his
angels concerning you to guard you in all your
ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so
that you will not strike your foot against a
stone.You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will
rescue him; I will protect him, for he
acknowledges my name. He will call on me,
and I will answer him; I will be with him in
trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.With
long life I will satisfy him and show him my
salvation*.”
Matthew 4: 5-7 (NIV: RB)
Then the devil took him to the holy city and
had him stand on the highest point of the
temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said,
“throw yourself down. For it is written:“ ‘He
will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,so
that you will not strike your foot against a
stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also
written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the
test.’”
 Psalms 91:10-16 (NIV)
No harm will overtake you, no disaster will
come near your tent. For he will command
his angels concerning you to guard you in
all your ways; they will lift you up in their
hands, so that you will not strike your foot
against a stone. You will tread on the lion
and the cobra; you will trample the great lion
and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says
the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect
him, for he acknowledges my name. He will
call on me, and I will answer him; I will be
with him in trouble, I will deliver him and
honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him and show
him my salvation.”
The Clear Qur’an: An-Nisa 4:157-158
(4:157) and for boasting, “We killed the
Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, the
messenger of Allah.” But they neither
killed nor crucified him—it was only
made to appear so. Even those who
argue for this ˹crucifixion˺ are in doubt.
They have no knowledge whatsoever—
only making assumptions. They
certainly did not kill him.
(4:158) Rather, Allah raised him up
to Himself. And Allah is Almighty, All-
Wise.
 (15:3) For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died
for our sins according to the Scriptures*, 

 (15:4) that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day* according to the
Scriptures, 

 (15:5) and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 

NIV 1 Corinthians 15: 3-5

 On the point that Jesus died for humanity’s sins, many Christian scholars look
to Psalms 22, 35, and 69, and Isaiah 52, and Isaiah 53 as the verses Paul was
referencing
(15:3) For what I received I passed on to you as of first
importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures, 

(15:4) that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day
according to the Scriptures, 

(15:5) and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 

NIV 1 Corinthians 15: 3-5

(12:38) Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to
him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”

(12:39) He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks

for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet
Jonah.

(12:40) For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the
belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and
three nights in the heart of the earth. 

NIV Matthew 12:38-40

 There is no mention of the Messiah suffering for the sins of man anywhere in the
scriptures, especially not the verses Christian scholars attributed to the claim.

 There are very few similarities in the Christian narrative, the Psalms, and Isaiah but
many contradictions.

 The written records of the Gospels are dated after the letters of Paul, giving
room for the possibility that those few similarities were added to the text in
order to fit the Psalms narrative Paul was preaching*

 Isaiah 53 is the most commonly referenced verse for Paul’s claim, yet the story of the
sufferer in Isaiah speaks in past tense

 Do not just take my word for it, do your homework and read the scripture.
 (4:157) and for boasting, “We killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, the
messenger of Allah.” But they neither killed nor crucified him—it was only
made to appear so. Even those who argue for this ˹crucifixion˺ are in doubt.
They have no knowledge whatsoever—only making assumptions. They
certainly did not kill him.

(4:158) Rather, Allah raised him up to Himself. And Allah is Almighty, All-
Wise.

The Clear Qur’an: An-Nisa 4:157-158

1. Jesus was not killed.

2. Jesus was not crucified.
3. Those who argue for the crucifixion are in doubt.
4. There is no evidence behind the claims of crucifixion – there are only assumptions.
(2: 02) This is the Book (the Qur’ân), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-
Muttaqûn.

The Noble Qur’an: Al-Baqarah 2:02

(2:21) O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allâh), Who created you and those who were before you so that you
may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious - See V.2:2).

(2:22) Who has made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky as a canopy, and sent down water (rain)
from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. Then do not set up rivals unto Allâh (in
worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped).

(2:23) And if you (Arab pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down
(i.e. the Qur’ân) to Our slave (Muhammad N‫ وسلم‬N‫ عليه‬NNN‫لىهللا‬NN‫)ص‬, then produce a Sûrah (chapter) of the like thereof
and call your witnesses (supporters and helpers) besides Allâh, if you are truthful.

(2:24) But if you do it not, and you can never do it, then fear the Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones,
prepared for the disbelievers.

The Noble Qur’an: Al-Baqarah 2:21-24

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of

Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬said:

Allah (mighty and sublime be He) said: Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war

with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have

enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall

love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with

which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to

him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate about anything as much as

I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him.

It was related by al-Bukhari.

‫ص‪N‬لَّى هَّللا ُ َعلَيْه ِ‪N‬‬‫ال‪َ N‬رس‪ ُN‬و ُل هَّللا ِ َ‬ ‫ال‪ :N‬قَ َ‬ ‫ض َي‪ N‬هَّللا ُ َع ْنه‪ ُN‬قَ َ‬ ‫َع ْن‪َ N‬أبِ‪N‬ي هُ َر ْي َر َة‪َ N‬ر ِ‬
‫ب‪َ ،N‬و َم‪N‬ا‬ ‫َو َس‪N‬لَّ َم‪ِ " :‬إ َّن هَّللا َ َع َّز َو َج َّل قَا َل‪َ :N‬م ْن‪َ N‬عا َدى لِ‪N‬ي َولِيًّ‪N‬ا‪ ،‬فَقَ ْد آ َذ ْنتُه‪ ُN‬بِ ْال َحرْ ِ‬
‫ت‪َ N‬علَ ْي ِه‪َ ،N‬و َم‪N‬ا يَ َزا ‪ُN‬ل َع ْب ِدي‬ ‫ي ِممَّا ا ْفتَ َرضْ ُ‬ ‫ي َع ْب ِدي بِ َش ْي ٍء‪َ N‬أ َحبَّ ِإلَ َّ‬ ‫ب‪ِ N‬إلَ َّ‬‫تَقَ َّر َ‬
‫ت‪َ N‬س‪ْ N‬م َعهُ الَّ ِذي يَ ‪ْN‬س َم ُع بِ ِه‪،N‬‬ ‫ي بِالنَّ َوافِ ِل‪َ N‬حتَّى ُأ ِحبَّه‪ ،ُN‬فَِإ َذا َأحْ بَ ْبتُه‪ُ ،ُN‬ك ْن ُ‬
‫ب ِإلَ َّ‬ ‫يَتَقَ َّر ‪ُN‬‬
‫ش بِهَ‪N‬ا‪َ ،‬و ِرجْ لَهُ‪ N‬الَّتِ‪N‬ي يَ ْم ِ‪N‬ش ي بِهَ‪N‬ا‪،‬‬ ‫ص‪ُ N‬ر بِ ِه‪َ ،N‬ويَ َدهُ‪ N‬الَّتِ‪N‬ي يَب ِْط ‪ُN‬‬‫ص‪َ N‬رهُ الَّ ِذي يُ ْب ِ‬ ‫َوبَ َ‬
‫ت‪َ N‬ع ْن‪َ N‬ش ْي ٍء‪َ N‬أنَ‪N‬ا‬ ‫َوِإ ْن‪َ N‬س‪َN‬ألَنِي ُأَل ْع ِطيَنَّه‪َ ،ُN‬ولَِئ ْن‪ N‬ا ْس‪N‬تَ َعا َذنِي ُأَل ِعي َذنَّه‪َ ،ُN‬و َم‪N‬ا تَ َر َّد ْد ُ‬
‫ت‪َ N‬وَأنَ‪N‬ا َأ ْك َرهُ‪َ N‬م َس‪N‬ا َءتَهُ"‬ ‫س‪َ N‬ع ْب ِدي ْال ُمْؤ ِم ِن‪ ،N‬يَ ْك َرهُ‪ْ N‬ال َم ْو َ‬ ‫فَا ِعلُهُ‪ N‬تَ َر ُّد ِدي َع ْن‪ N‬نَ ْف ِ‬
‫رواه البخاري‬